Rollers, Drago reconcile

Publishing Date : 24 September, 2018

Author : MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE

Serbian born gaffer Dragojol Stanalojvic is expected to return to Township Rollers dug -out as the club’s technical director after he was given the boot last season for allegedly conniving with the Jwaneng Galaxy who were battling Rollers for the championship.

Rollers were pushing to win back- to –back championship. Drago is believed to have played a pivotal role in turning Township Rollers pot of gold into silverware particularly during Kavazovic’s early fixtures in the premier league season 2017/18. However, other sources state that the Serbian was approached because Rollers could not keep their newly recruited technical director claiming he experienced medical complications.

WeekendSport established that Drago became a ‘victim of circumstances’ when he was seen and photographed in the company of former Jwaneng Galaxy Coach Zlatko Krmpotic at Lobatse Sports Complex last season. This is ultimately what led to the fallout between the Serbian and Township Rollers hierarchy.

It was widely believed that Drago was helping Krmpotic, who also hails from Serbia, to plot tactics which helped Galaxy beat Mochudi Center Chiefs in their last premier league of the last season. But luck was not on Galaxy’s side as Rollers eventually won the championship after victory over Extension Gunners in their closing fixture.

By assisting Galaxy, Kavazovic and some of Rollers technical team members believed that Drago was sabotaging them and had sinister motives to put Rollers under unnecessary pressure. Kavazovic was not impressed by Dragojol’s wayward behavior, hence pushing for his expulsion. However, some in the Rollers camp believe that the team can still mount a serious title challenge under the mentorship of Kavazovic and his assistant, Leutwetse Tshireletso. This view may turn out to be the biggest obstacle to Drago rejoining Rollers.

Drago had an appetizing package during his time at Rollers, but sources claim his return could be met with a reduced version of the original package. But sources close to the negotiations have suggested that money would not push Drago away. Indeed, he considers that the move will give a great challenge professionally.

Yet, having said to have let sleeping dogs lie with Rollers management, other obstacles still need to be cleared if he desires to return to a club where people appreciate change and let patience lead the way as he once stated after Gaborone United (GU) gave him the boot three years ago. But principal among his concerns is the amount of power he would be permitted to wield. Both Drago and Kavazovic were employed around the same time in June last year as Rollers showed some measure of seriousness to defend the title.

While a handful of Rollers supporters were not entirely convinced about Kavazovic’s football philosophy, they believed that it was Drago who won some games when the head coach appeared to be on a ‘wild goose chase.’ Drago was seen as a strait talker. It is said he never concealed his disappointment when Rollers axed Jerome Ramatlhwakwane who is now with Orapa United. Prior to his fall, Botswana Football Association (BFA) appointed him to lead national Under 20 team- a job nomination that also ruffled few feathers.

Drago first came to Botswana to lead Mochudi Center Chiefs in 2013. He was fired largely for failing to control Magosi’s dressing room before the season could end. He also had stints with Extension Gunners, Gaborone United and Sankoyo Bush Bucks- all ending with bitterness.